Today I was thinking on the subject of how I deal with beggars on the street i.e., in and around the metro train stations, at church entrances after hours sleeping in the District, stopping me at the traffic-light asking for coins or, “you got a dollar boss, I'm would like to buy me something to eat?”
I never really did understand how so many people in America could be without housing and shelter- but that topic is a different Blog. This is how I handle the so-called "Beggar. " First, I give at least 85% of the time I encounter him or her. I am not really concern about who this is in front of me. Actually that is not true, a better quote is “I am not concern with how this person(s) seem to be to me in their approach.” My aim is to give. And almost every time I decide not to give, I ache inside wondering was this my opportunity to meet Jesus and I passed Him by.
There is a scripture found in Matthew 25:31-46 Amplified 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. My study tip today is to always read verse 1 as I did in this instance (Thanks to one of my mentors John Doonan- I can still him saying, “Darrin did you read the entire chapter or just that one verse?)
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The kingdom of heaven is likened unto virgins, then those who received talents, and lastly sheep in comparison to goats. Each instance talked about being ready and having the nature of Christ. I placed emphasis on the latter portion of this text above.
The goats did not help strangers, while the sheep did. The goats never visited or gave alms of support, but the sheep acted opposite of the self-preserving goats. We read later that the sheep are very helpful. But did you notice that both the goats and the sheep are ignorant of who the strangers are. Obviously to the goats the identity of the strangers mattered; socioeconomic stratification.
I do my best to do for the Lord more when I think He’s not watching. Yeah I know this sounds silly but it’s my truth. In actuality, this is how I believe the sheep behaved in that they helped many strangers never knowing that Jesus would count their compassions as gifts to Him. Jesus replied, when you did it to the least of these you have also given drink unto me. Matthew 25:45
Lord I pray that I can share my substance even more; help me with the 15% and other times that I fail opportunities to help the poor- let me not mock you with my lack of compassion. Proverbs 14:31
Family at times I feel like some of these folks are tricking me. I think I don't give because I feel some of these folks could do better for themselves. Another reason I don't give is because I might be sponsoring a bad habit- such as alcoholism or drug addictions. So instead of doing the best thing 100% of the time I simply pass by. Now when I don’t have money I can’t give; I am talking about when I have it and don’t.
I hope all of you who read this Blog are interested in this topic to some degree. I will right about my detailed reasons why I don’t give and how I am improving at a later time. I hope you have been blessed by looking at my life as I look towards Christ.
What is for you will see your face.
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3 comments:
I can't wait to read about the reasons we say no. I personally don't like to give to most bombs cuz they usually are trying to buy a wine or they are crackheads.
Hello Mr. Carter
Great post! You made a lot of since in this matter. Yes some would give a lot more if they only knew is these homeless people are really homeless, or if they will truly buy them something to eat, or just plain tricking us all together. But it's not for us to decide what they do with the offering but that you did your part in trying to help them the best you know how. God is looking to see if your just going to judge them or past them by like garbage on the street. "Do unto others as you would want done to you" As this could well be us out there getting passed by..........
I am thankful that we agree. If we want to know what these folks go through befor they started to ask for money on the road then maybe we could understand.
Bless Up Darrin Carter
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